US Official Calls for Greater Russia-US Energy Cooperation

A top U.S. official has called for increased energy cooperation with Russia, while also raising concern about the country's investment climate.

Energy Secretary said Tuesday in Moscow that Russian oil exports to the United States should be 10 times higher than their current rate of 230,000 barrels per day.

Mr. Bodman met with top Russian officials, including Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov. He told reporters he made suggestions on improving Russia's business transparency, sanctity of contracts and the independence of the judiciary.

He said the U.S. private sector views the business environment in Russia with uncertainty, especially after Moscow's crackdown on the Yukos oil firm.

Critics have accused the Kremlin of relentlessly pursing Yukos to retaliate for the support the company's former chief, Mikhail Khodorkovsky, gave to the political opposition -- a charge the Kremlin denies.